X27 is an American

alternative rock Alternative rock (also known as alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s w ...

band, formed in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

in 2000. They are known for their live shows and stripped-down noisy

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

. X27 is Carmen X and Rikkeh Suhtn (formerly of Duotron). They are currently based in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

. The name X27 comes from the film ''

Dishonored ''Dishonored'' is a 2012 action-adventure game developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Set in the fictional, plague-ridden industrial city of Dunwall, ''Dishonored'' follows the story of Corvo Attano, bodyguard to th ...

'', where

Marlene Dietrich Marie Magdalene "Marlene" DietrichBorn as Maria Magdalena, not Marie Magdalene, according to Dietrich's biography by her daughter, Maria Riva ; however, Dietrich's biography by Charlotte Chandler cites "Marie Magdalene" as her birth name . (, ; ...

plays Agent X27 who hides code in her music; it is not related to the

X27 X27 is an American alternative rock band, formed in Chicago in 2000. They are known for their live shows and stripped-down noisy punk rock. X27 is Carmen X and Rikkeh Suhtn (formerly of Duotron). They are currently based in Brooklyn, New York ( ...

bus route in Brooklyn, where they are based. X27 are influenced by

punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...

experimental An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of something previously untried. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs whe ...

, contemporary classical,

Music of North Africa North Africa has contributed considerably to popular music, especially Egyptian classical music alongside el Gil, Algerian raï and Chaabi (internationally-known tubes such as "Ya Rayah"-Dahman El Harrachi or Aicha-Cheb Khaled). The broad regio ...

grunge Grunge (sometimes referred to as the Seattle sound) is an alternative rock Music genre, genre and subculture that emerged during the in the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington, particularly in Seattle and Music of Olympia, Washington, O ...

, and 60's pop. Rikkeh recently said, "I want to make music for people who think

AC/DC AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock and Heavy metal music, heavy metal, although the band calls it simply "rock and roll". They are cited as a formativ ...

and

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician), John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a he ...

are great American

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

bands."

History

The musicians who have played in X27 include Oran Canfield (son of

Jack Canfield Jack Canfield (born August 19, 1944) is an American author and motivational speaker. He is the co-author of the '' Chicken Soup for the Soul'' series, which has more than 250 titles and 500 million copies in print in over 40 languages. In 2005 ...

of the

Chicken Soup for the Soul Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC is an American self-help and consumer goods company based in Cos Cob, Connecticut. It is known for the ''Chicken Soup for the Soul'' book series. The first book, like most subsequent titles in the series, consisted ...

franchise, drummer for: Child Abuse (band), Dig that body up it's alive,

Caroliner Caroliner is a music group formed in San Francisco in 1983. Described by critics as "industrial-bluegrass," the group uses instruments from bluegrass and rock traditions, as well as homemade electronics and other modified instruments. In their liv ...

and author of Long Past Stopping), Sean Greathead (artist for:

Garbage Pail Kids ''Garbage Pail Kids'' is a series of sticker trading cards produced by the Topps Company, originally released in 1985 and designed to parody the '' Cabbage Patch Kids'' dolls, which were popular at the time. Each sticker card features a Garba ...

and Wacky Pack, member of
Nights
, Massey, Terry Klawth (

Mary Prankster Mary Prankster is the moniker for an American singer-songwriter. She is primarily associated with Baltimore (but now residing in New England), and played a blend of alternative/indie music with frank lyrics. The name is a reference to Ken Kesey' ...

Jodie Foster's Army JFA (Jodie Foster's Army) is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1981, with roots in Arizona and in Southern California skateboard culture. The original members include Brian Brannon (vocals), Don Redondo (guitar), Michael Cornelius (bass) ...

, Mighty Sphincter), among others. X27 has played shows with

The Fall (band) The Fall were an English post-punk group, formed in 1976 in Prestwich, Greater Manchester Greater Manchester is a ceremonial county in North West England. It borders Lancashire to the north, Derbyshire and West Yorkshire to the east, Ches ...

The Kills The Kills are an English-American rock music, rock duo formed by American singer Alison Mosshart, Alison "VV" Mosshart and English guitarist Jamie Hince, Jamie "Hotel" Hince. They are signed to Domino Recording Company, Domino Records. Their fi ...

Gossip Gossip is idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others; the act is also known as dishing or tattling. Etymology The word is from Old English ''godsibb'', from ''god (word), god'' and ''sibb'', the term for the ...

Métal Urbain Métal Urbain (meaning ''urban metal'') was one of the first French Punk rock, punk groups, formed in 1976 in Paris. Career They were heavily influenced by the Clash and Sex Pistols on one hand, and on the other by an electro approach related to ...

Xiu Xiu Xiu Xiu ( ) is an American experimental rock band, formed in 2002 by singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart in San Jose, California. Currently, the line-up consists of multi-instrumentalists Stewart (the only constant member since formation), Angel ...

Erase Errata Erase Errata was a band from San Francisco, California. History Erase Errata formed in Oakland, California, in 1999, and quickly earned national attention after the release of their first eponymous 7-inch single, and via tours with electro- rio ...

, Roger Sisters,

Tracy + the Plastics Tracy, Tracey, or Tracie may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tracy (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname, also encompassing spelling variations Places United States * Tracy, C ...

Guitar Wolf Guitar Wolf (Japanese language, Japanese: Wikt:ギ, ギ Wikt:タ, タ Wikt:ー, ー Wikt:ウ, ウ Wikt:ル, ル Wikt:フ, フ) is a Japanese garage rock power trio founded in Tokyo in 1987. They coined the phrase "jet rock 'n' roll", which they ...

Deerhoof Deerhoof is an American musical group formed in San Francisco in 1994. It consists of founding drummer Greg Saunier, bassist and singer Satomi Matsuzaki, and guitarists John Dieterich and Ed Rodriguez. Beginning as an improvised noise punk band ...

, 400 Blows,

Les Georges Leningrad Les Georges Leningrad were a Canadian experimental rock and punk rock group based in Montreal, Quebec. Les Georges Leningrad were known for their extravagant stage costumes, including masks in particular.Foetus A fetus or foetus (; : fetuses, foetuses, rarely feti or foeti) is the unborn offspring of a viviparous animal that develops from an embryo. Following the embryonic stage, the fetal stage of development takes place. Prenatal development is a ...

Grizzly Bear (band) Grizzly Bear is an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2002. For most of its tenure, the band has consisted of Edward Droste (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Daniel Rossen (vocals, guitar, banjo, keyboards), Chris Taylor (bass, ba ...

, Easy Action,

Ex Models Ex Models is an American no wave-influenced post-hardcore band based in Brooklyn, New York. Career The band, based around brothers Shahin and Shahryar Motia, was started while they were in high school. They reunited after college to make their ...

, and

Bobby Conn Jeffrey Stafford (born June 13, 1967), known professionally as Bobby Conn, is an American musician based in Chicago, Illinois. He often collaborates with other artists and film-maker Usama Alshaibi. Career Conn was born as Jeffrey Stafford in ...

to name a few. X27 have toured with

Coachwhips Coachwhips was a garage rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 2001. The band consisted of John Dwyer (vocals, guitar), John Harlow (drums) and Mary Ann McNamara (keyboards, backing vocals, tambourine). In their second incarnation ...

Hawnay Troof Hawnay Troof is an American Electronic music, electronic Indie rock, indie band formed in late 2001. Despite the band's American punk and electronic background, many elements of pop music, pop, dance-punk, electronica, soul music, soul, noise ...

, Numbers (band),

The Flying Luttenbachers The Flying Luttenbachers are an American instrumental noise rock band led by multi-instrumentalist, composer, improviser and producer Weasel Walter. The Flying Luttenbachers have created a body of work focused on musical extremity and disson ...

, The King Cobra (

Rachel Carns Rachel Carns (born August 13, 1969) is an American musician, composer, artist and performer living in Olympia, Washington, U.S. Raised in small-town Wisconsin, she went on to study painting and drawing at Cooper Union for the Advancement of Sc ...

) and

Pink and Brown Pink and Brown was a noise rock/punk rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1997 when the members moved west from their old home of Providence, Rhode Island. The band consisted of Pink (John Dwyer) and Brown ( Jeff Rosenberg). Pink p ...

. They have played clubs such as the

Knitting Factory The Knitting Factory is a nightclub in New York City that features eclectic music and entertainment and is co-owned and co-operated by Knitting Factory Entertainment. After opening in 1987, various other locations were opened in the United Stat ...

NY,

Bowery Ballroom The Bowery Ballroom is a New York City live music venue located at 6 Delancey Street in Manhattan's Bowery neighborhood. The venue has enjoyed a fabled reputation among musicians as well as audiences. In 2013, industry insiders polled by ''Roll ...

, North Six (currently known as

Music Hall of Williamsburg Music Hall of Williamsburg (formerly Northsix) is a music venue located at 66 North 6th Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. The venue is operated by The Bowery Presents, a group stemming from Bowery Ballroom th ...

) in

, Beachland Ballroom in

Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...

Empty Bottle Empty Bottle is a bar and music venue located at 1035 N. Western Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Located on the west side of Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood, the venue primarily hosts local, regional, and touring alternative music acts, ...

, and Magicstick in

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

. X27 has played

SXSW South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and Convention (meeting), conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas. It began in 1987 and has conti ...

and

CMJ CMJ Holdings Corp. is a music events, online media company and a distributor of up and coming music CDs, originally founded in 1978, which ran a website, hosted an annual festival in New York City, and published two magazines, ''CMJ New Music ...

music festivals. They have done live radio shows at Chicago's

WNUR Northwestern University (NU) is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest chartered university in Illinois. Chartered by the Illinois ...

and

WHPK WHPK (88.5 FM) is a student-run college radio station owned by the University of Chicago in Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1968, the station is and operated by volunteer students and community volunteers. ...

and New York's

WFMU WFMU (91.1 MHz) is a non-commercial educational station, non-commercial, listener-supported, independent radio, independent community radio station city of license, licensed to East Orange, New Jersey, with studios in Jersey City. It is owned by ...

. X27 played the Mission Creek festival and the opening party for the

Chicago Underground Film Festival The Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) is an annual nonprofit international festival dedicated to the exhibition of underground and avant-garde cinema, video, and performance. The festival offers an opportunity for independent artists who a ...

which was also the premier of the

MC5 MC5 was an American rock music, rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan, in 1963. The classic lineup consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis (bassist), Michael Davis, and drummer ...

documentary. X27 toured Europe, hitting France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. X27 also hit the UK, playing an

Artrocker Artrocker is a UK-based collective involved in music promotion and publishing. It was started by Paul Cox and Tom Fawcett who had been co-promoters of a London night called The Sausage Machine. Having started life with an online newsletter and ev ...

Show, Unpeeled Party and Club Motherfucker. In October 2006 they performed live in London for the fashion world at Nick Knight's Bal Masque, a party given in tribute to his career in photography by

Moët & Chandon Moët & Chandon (), also known simply as Moët, is a French fine winery and part of the luxury goods company LVMH, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE. Moët et Chandon is one of the world's largest champagne producers and a prominent List o ...

. Their 2005 album ''antilove'' was record by

Steve Albini Steven Frank Albini (; July 22, 1962 – May 7, 2024) was an American musician and audio engineer. He founded and fronted the influential post-hardcore and noise rock bands Big Black (1981–1987), Rapeman (1987–1989) and Shellac (band), ...

best known for his recording of

Nirvana Nirvana, in the Indian religions (Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism), is the concept of an individual's passions being extinguished as the ultimate state of salvation, release, or liberation from suffering ('' duḥkha'') and from the ...

's ''

In Utero The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', : uteri or uteruses) or womb () is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans, that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more fertilized eggs until bir ...

'' and

The Pixies The Pixies are an American alternative rock band from Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1986 by Black Francis (vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriter), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, vocals) and David Lovering (drums). The Pi ...

' ''

Surfer Rosa ''Surfer Rosa'' is the debut studio album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released in March 1988 on the British label 4AD. It was produced by Steve Albini. ''Surfer Rosa'' contains many of the elements of Pixies' earlier output, i ...

''.

Discography

Albums

*''Your Neu Favourite Band'' (2003)

Narnack Records Narnack Records is an independent record label founded in 2000. The label developed in New York City's underground music scene and quickly became known for its ability for developing new artists Coachwhips, OCS, Langhorne Slim, Thee Oh sees, ...

*''Antilove'' (2007)

Singles

*''"Agent X" 7"'' (2003
Show & Tell Recordings
*''"Me EP" 7"'' (2003)

CDRs

*''"Me EP"'' (2002) *''"Spy Shop"'' (2002) *''"product"'' (2001)

Video

da na do
by Michael Grodne
Performing LIVE at Nick Knight's Bal MasqueX27 and Coachwhips shot LIVE by PunkcastFeeling Asthmatic
by

Robert Greene (filmmaker) Robert Greene (born May 25, 1976) is an American documentary filmmaker, editor, and writer. His documentaries include ''Procession'', '' Bisbee '17'', '' Kate Plays Christine'', ''Actress'', and '' Fake It So Real''. He was named one of the 10 ...

References

External links

* *

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

{{Authority control American experimental musical groups Musical groups from Brooklyn